Maui Guidebook

Road to Hana – Quick Summary

Last updated 09. Nov, 2009 by Mark.

General Geographic Area: Road to Hana Maui

In a nutshell: The Road to Hana is the crown-jewel of Hawaii driving tours. Lush rainforest, dramatic and rugged ocean vistas, countless waterfalls and pools.
Minuses: If you get car-sick, there are going to be 600 opportunities to review your breakfast.
Sound-bite: “600 turns?!? More like one 50-mile-long turn…”

Just exactly where “The Road to Hana” begins and where it ends is subject to some debate. For my guide purposes, I usually start in the North Shore (Paia area) and end at what …

Continue Reading

Hamoa Beach

Last updated 11. Aug, 2010 by Mark.

Hamoa Beach

Rating:

In a nutshell: A beautiful crescent beach with a reliable surf break.
Minuses: Currents can be strong.
Sound-bite: “Am I sticking out too far in the road?”

This beach is often ranked up there with the famous beaches in the resort areas of Maui, and deservingly so. A postcard-perfect 100′ wide by 1000′ long crescent.

Hamoa Beach is surrounded by cliffs, with two points of public access – stairs leading down from the hotel shuttle dropoff and a small service road at the other end. (walk, don’t …

Continue Reading

Wai’anapanapa State Park

Last updated 23. Jul, 2009 by Mark.

To get an idea of what is in store, this is the view from the parking lot.

Rating:

In a nutshell: Spectacular views of rugged shoreline, sea arches, black sand beach, and more.
Minuses: Swimming is marginal.
Sound-bite: “Sir, you should probably stand back from that blowhole.”

*NOTE* All photos in the Maui Guidebook can be clicked on to view a larger photo. Most browsers will resize the photo and allow you to click on it a second time for an even larger image. The photos in this article in …

Continue Reading

Baby Beach (North Shore)

Last updated 12. Oct, 2010 by lilikoi.

Baby Beach (North Shore)

Rating:

In a nutshell: A dramatically beautiful beach, not just for kids. Protected lagoon for swimming.
Minuses: Can get very windy in the afternoons.
Sound-bite: “E hau`oli e nâ `ôpio o Hawai`i nei.”

Note: There is also a beach called “Baby Beach” in Lahaina.

DETAILS:
Baby Beach is a beautiful beach and protected lagoon just before Paia on the North Shore of Maui. An exposed stretch of reef, connected to a rocky red-dirt point on the west end of the beach creates a …

Continue Reading

Ocean Conditions

Last updated 04. Aug, 2010 by Mark.

In normal conditions, on beaches where there are lifeguards, the ocean is relatively safe to play. But conditions can change, and the surf can get big, rip currents form, and swimming can become dangerous at even what appear to be the tamest of beaches.

At beaches with lifeguards, look out for orange high-surf flags in the sand. If they are present, visit the lifeguard stand to read or talk to a lifeguard about the conditions.

Keep in mind that the county almost never closes beaches during dangerous conditions. Flags and …

Continue Reading

Red Sand Beach (Kaihalulu Beach)

Last updated 08. Dec, 2011 by lilikoi.

Red Sand Beach is a dramatically beautiful place.

Rating:

In a nutshell: A dramatic and beautiful hidden cove unlike any other.
Minuses: The short hike to the beach is hazardous.
Sound-bite: “Has the Mothership departed without me?”

WARNINGS:
Part of the trail has become blocked by a landslied and is also more dangerous than it once was. This is not a safe hike for anyone unaccustomed to navigating cliff-edges with slippery/unsound footing.

DETAILS:
Red Sand Beach is a dramatic and beautiful hidden cove unlike any other. The ocean is almost …

Continue Reading

Baldwin Beach Park

Last updated 12. Sep, 2011 by lilikoi.

Baldwin Beach

Rating:

In a nutshell: Baldwin Beach Park is a beautiful, long white-sand beach on Maui’s North Shore. A favorite with local families.
Minuses: Surf in the middle area can be rough.
Sound-bite: “Gnarly wipeout, brah…I know a good chiropractor in Paia!”

DETAILS:
Baldwin Beach is a wonderful, long, wide, sandy beach park just outside of Paia. Fully equipped with lifeguards, bathrooms, showers, barbecues, picnic tables and a covered pavilion.

During winter months, the main stretch of beach can have fairly large and regular shorebreak, so it becomes a …

Continue Reading

Baldwin Cove

Last updated 16. May, 2009 by lilikoi.

Baldwin Cove

Rating:

In a nutshell: Beautiful sand beach in season. Out of season it is also dramatic to behold. Frequented by many free-spirits; ladies can go topless here.
Minuses: Parking can be tough on weekends. Parts of the year the beach vanishes.
Sound-bite: “…every little thing, gonna be alright.”

DETAILS:
A large jetty of boulders at the cove’s edge, combined with an offshore reef forms a protected sandy cove. This beach is subject to extreme seasonal erosion, usually culminating the the entire beach disappearing. In fact, I can’t even …

Continue Reading

Ho’okipa Beach Park

Last updated 28. Oct, 2010 by Mark.

The Mecca of windsurfing: Ho’okipa

Rating:

In a nutshell: Ho’okipa Beach is a world-renowned windsurfing spot with often dramatic and impressive surf.
Minuses: Marginal for swimming.
Sound-bite: “Epic day bro!”

Ho’okipa is Mecca to the windsurfing world, and is also a top-notch board surfing destination. There are professional windsurfing competitions held here, and on just about any day with wind (which are most days) you can watch pros doing absolutely amazing things with sailboards. Ho’okipa provides visitors a stunning backdrop where you can watch the best effortlessly play with the …

Continue Reading

Koki Beach Park

Last updated 10. Aug, 2010 by Mark.

Koki Beach with ‘Alau Island in background.

Rating:

In a nutshell: Scenic beach park with much cultural significance. Sand and ocean conditions vary greatly depending on season.
Minuses: Currents become dangerously strong and the beach deteriorates for many months of the year.
Sound-bite: “Is that Oprah?”

Koki Beach changes radically throughout the year. In the summer months, a wide sandy beach is deposited, and surf and currents often mellow out to allow safe water use. In the winter, much of the sand is taken away by the ocean, leaving a …

Continue Reading